Antrim’s New Year’s resolution will be much the same as previous seasons as they strive to maintain their Division One status for another campaign while also making a welcome return to the Liam MacCarthy Cup.
However, their expectations for the new season will be tempered by the absence of several marquee players.
Antrim’s Dunloy contingent will miss the Walsh Cup and, possibly, the opening rounds of the League as they continue their preparations for their All-Ireland Club SHC final meeting with Ballyhale.
Read more: Tyrone refusing to dwell on dismal All-Ireland defence insists Kieran McGeary
Several key players are also sidelined with injuries at present with both Ciaran Clarke and Conor McCann recovering from ACL injuries.
Additionally, St John’s pair Domhnall Nugent and Conor Johnston will miss the start of the new campaign after suffering injuries during the club Championship and Gleeson knows his resources will be stretched during the opening weeks of 2023.
“Unfortunately, both Ciaran (Clarke) and Conor (McCann) suffered cruciate injuries,” said Gleeson.
“Conor’s injury was earlier in the season and is on the mend. Ciaran had to have two operations - it was a serious injury. Ciaran is starting his rehab and we’ll see how it goes.
"I’d be hopeful that we’d see him towards the back end of the Championship.
“Whatever happens, it is about making sure he gets the proper recovery. Whether he is ready for 2023 or 2024 I don’t know? Both Ciaran and Conor are in their late 20s and they’ve plenty of hurling to give to Antrim.”
He added: “Domhall Nugent had an injury and battled on with it and he has had surgery too.
“Conor Johnston also picked up a hand injury in the club Championship and he’ll probably need an operation as well.
“We’ve a fairly hefty injury list before we even start the new season.”
Dunloy’s continued involvement in the All-Ireland series can only be a positive for Antrim according to Gleeson.
The Antrim boss will be without the likes of Conal Cunning, Ryan Elliott and Keelan Molloy, among others, for the early part of the season.
“They are training away and playing at a high level and they’ve a top-class man looking after them in Gregory O’Kane,” stated Gleeson.
“I’m not worried about the Dunloy lads not being around for the start of the season. It gives us a chance to look at the new lads coming in and look at other lads in the panel.
“I see it as a win-win situation - Dunloy are getting lots of good hurling and we’re getting plenty of time to look at the extended panel.
“For the last few years, our Junior, Intermediate and Senior champions haven’t won Ulster. I think it is very important that an Antrim club team comes through and wins the Ulster Senior.
“I think that will be a lift for everybody - a lift for our squad and for the Dunloy parish.
“They’re exposing themselves to the best club teams in the country and that can only be a good thing.”
While Ballycastle stalwart Matthew Donnelly has called time on his county career, Gleeson has drafted in a host of new players ahead of the Walsh Cup opener against Dublin on Saturday at Parnell Park.
Loughgiel quartet Rory McCloskey, Christy McGarry, Enda Óg McGarry and Paul Boyle are joined on the squad by Ballycastle’s Tiernan Smyth, Seamus McAuley, Conor Boyd and Eoin McAlonan. Rossa’s Eoin Trainor and Caolan McKernan of Sarsfield’s are the other new additions to the Antrim panel.
Read next:
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Glen vs Moycullen: Derry star backs Ulster champions for All-Ireland glory
Derry relishing Dublin date with promotion again on the agenda insists Brendan Rogers
Armagh targeting fast start to 2023 with new faces to feature in Dr McKenna Cup
Antrim squad taking shape as Andy McEntee makes a number of new additions
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